Method and apparatus for stranding wires, or the like



A. A..B|AG|N| 3,388,541

OR THE LIKE June 18, 1968 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRANDING WIRES,

Filed March 4, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ALBERT A. BIAGI Nl BY uw f ffm/ ATTORNEYS June 18, 1968 O A. A. BIAGiNl 3,388,541

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRANDING WIRES, OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

ALBERT A B I AGINI ATTORNEYS June 18, 1968 A. A. BIAGINI 3,388,541

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRANDING WIRES, OR THE LIKE Filed March 4, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet if:

7i. v 58 20o 58 20o 200 4 'rs/: fagzoe f 2|o f i 5 i .d 4 2oz i i 2oz i I l swg- 'lf 206 INVENTOR.

ALBERT A. BIAGI NI ,675 i Cff/Aa ATTORNEYS June 18, 1968 A. A. BIAGINI 3,388,541

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRANDING WIRES, 0R THE LIKE Filed March 4, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A 22s l l 222 42 2.226

INVENTOR. LLB-:1.1. ALBERT A. BIAGINI l 6HL BY M75 .Wc/

ATTORNEYS United States Patent() 3,388,541 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRANDING WIRES, GR THE LiKE Albert A. Biagini, 362 Naples St., San Francisco, Calif. 94112 Filed' Mar. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 531,693 Claims. (Cl. 57-9) ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A stranding machine in which wires are pulled through a die and twisted thereat by a combination pulling and twisting unit. The twisting and pulling unit includes a rotatable frame which carries a rotatable capstan, or the like, for pulling the strand. The capstan is coupled to the frame `for rotation thereof upon rotation ofthe trame. A single motor lfor driving the frame provides both the twisting and pulling power. A preforming head which includes a plurality of tubes is positioned upstream of the die through which tubes the outer wires of the strand are passed for changing the unstressed condition of the wires. The tubes are carried by ball-like members which are releasably clamped to a mounting plate whereby the adjustment of the angular position of the tubes is possible when the members are released.

This invention relates to a stranding apparatus, or the like, and to a method of stranding Wires, and more particularly to apparatus for and a method of twisting advancing wires to form a strand, a rope, or the like.

In conventional prior art stranding machines, rope making machines, and the like, a core or heart wire is fed through the machine without rotating or twisting the same, and strands are spirally wrapped around the core along a helical path to cover the core. With such machines the wires for the core and strands must all be pre-wound upon supply reels or bobbins particularly adapted for use in the machine. The pre-winding of the reels or bobbins for use with the machines is time consuming and adds considerably to the production cost of the stranded wire or rope. Also, the apparatus occupies a large amount of space and it is complex.

An object of this invention is the provision of a stranding or rope making apparatus and method of stranding which does not require reeling of the outer strand wires for use inthe apparatus.

An object of this invention is the provision of a stranding apparatus which is `capable of operating at much higher speeds than most prior art machines of comparable size,

An object of this invention is the provision of a stranding apparatus of inexpensive construction and which requires low maintenance.

An object of this invention is the provision of a stranding apparatus which operates at very low noise levels.

An object of this invention is the provision of a simplified stranding or rope making machine and method of stranding in which only the core wire must be wound on a reel or bobbin for use in the machine. The outer strand wires may be supplied to the machine from any conventional source such as coils of wire carried on reels not attached to the machine or from rotating bobbins when no twist in the outer layer is desired.

Mice

Apparatus for practicing the invention includes a rotatable die through which the core and ou-ter strand wires are drawn or pulled. The outer strand wires are fed to the die through a stationary guide and/ or stationary preforming head from any suitable source. There is no requirement that the outer strand Wires be placed on reels or bobbins for use by the apparatus of the invention. A twisting and pulling means is positioned downstream of the die for twisting the outer strand wires about the core or heart wire. The core or heart Wire, while being fed through the die and twisting and drawing means, is rotated in the same direction and at substantially the same rate as the twisting and drawing means. The means for rotating the core wire includes a rotatable core wire reel holder at the upstream side of the die and a rotatable strand take-up reel holder at the downstream side of the twisting and drawing means. If desired, a plurality of longitudinally spaced stationary guide and/or stationary preforrning heads and dies may be employed between the core wire supply reel and twisting and drawing means, whereby any number of outer strand wires as desired may be wrapped on the core wire.

In a modified form of the apparatus, the outer strand wires are rotated as they are supplied to the rotatable die. For this purpose the outer strand wires may be wound on reel-s or bobbins which are carried by suitable reel holders for imparting the desired rotation thereto. When the outer strand wires are rotated at the same rate as the rotatable die they are laid onto the core with no twist. By rotating at a greater or lesser speed than the rotatable die an advance or reverse twist, respectively, may be provided inthe finis-hed strand.

As mentioned above, a preforming head may be included through which the the outer wires or strands are fed in traveling to the closing die. As is well understood, the function of the preforming head is to curve or twist the outer wires so that they will be in an unstressed condition when wrapped about the core. Without preforming, the stranded Wires when broken or cut often will fly apart rather than remain in tightly twisted position on the core. Prior art preforming heads often comprise a plurality of adjustably positioned guide rolls for each outer strand. The outer strands travel in a generally Zig-zag path through the guide rolls to provide the strands with a permanent turn or set. The guide roll-type preforming heads are generally bulky, expensive and diiiicult to maintain and adjust.

An object of this invention is the provision of an improved preforming head of simple construction and easily adjusted for providing the wires with the proper set.

The preformer head in accordance with this invention, may comprise a plurality of tubes through which the outer wires of the strand are passed. The tube axes are oriented at an angle to the direction of travel of the wires passing therethrough whereby the wires are bent upon entering and leaving the tube. The tubes are carried by and extend through individual ball-like mounting members which, in turn, are releasably clamped between a pair of apertured mounting plates. Adjustment of the tubes is readily accomplished when the connection between the plates is loosened. When the tubes -are properly angularly positioned they are clamped in position between the plates -by tightening of bolts urging the plates together.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts in the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a stranding machine embodying this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the twisting and drawing mechanism of the machine;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top view of the twisting and drawing mechanism shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken in line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged `front elevational view of the novel preforming head as Viewed from line 6 6 of FIG- UlRE l;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the preforrning head taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the preforming elements employed in the preforming head;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the preforming head showing one of the preforrning elements and a wire extending therethrough;

FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view of a `modified form of stranding machine embodying this invention; and

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary plan view of another stranding machine embodying this invention in which the outer strand wires are rotated prior to reaching the rotatable die.

Reference is first made to FIGURES l and 2 wherein the stranding machine is shown comprising a base which lcarries a drive motor 22 `for driving the various rotatable elements of the machine.

A core, or heart wire 24 (which may comprise a wire, strand, rope or the like) is shown wound on a supply reel 26, which reel is rotatably supported by a reel holder 28. In the illustrated arrangement the holder is shown comprising an open rectangular-shaped frame formed with a pair of longitudinal plates interconnected by transverse end plates 32a and B2b. Shafts 34 and 36 are fixed to and project from opposite ends of the plates 32a and 32b which shafts are rotatably supported in bearings 38 on upright supports 40 carried by the base 20. The reel holder frame is rotated by the motor 22 through a pulley 42 fixed to the end of the shaft 34, a belt 44, and a pulley 46 secured to a drive shaft 48 suitably coupled to the motor shaft by means not shown.

The core wire supply reel is attached to the inside wall of the end plate 32a of the frame through a slip coupling 50 of any suitable type. Slip couplings which operate electrically, mechanically or hydraulically are well known and need not be described in detail herein. When core wire 24 is being withdrawn from the reel 26 in a manner described hereinbelow, the slip coupling 50 provides a drag force on the reel to create a tension in the core 24 as it unwinds from the reel. Means, not shown, are provided for releasably securing the supply reel 26 to the coupling for loading and unloading the same in the machine.

From the supply reel 26 the core 24 is directed over guides 52, 54 and 56 and out through an axial bore in the shaft 36. The guides may comprise rollers, eyes or other suitable means not shown in detail. The core then passes through a center aperture in a novel preforming head 58 to a die 60. If desired, a guide plate 62 may be included Ibetween the preforming head 58 and die 60, as shown. The guide plate 62 is supported by any suitable means, not shown. The preforming head 58 is described in detail hereinbelow. For present purposes of description it will suffice to note that the head 58 is attached as by welding or other suitable means not shown to a mounting plate 64 which is bolted to the top of a platform 66 carried on a stationary support 68. Fastening bolts '70 which fasten the plate to the platform extend through elongated slots at opposite side edges of the plate. When the bolts are loosened, the preforming head 58 may be 4 adjusted in a longitudinal direction toward or away from the die as desired to accommodate wire or strands of different size, elasticity and stiffness.

With the novel machine of this invention the preforming head 58 is stationary whereby outer wires, designated 74, to be wrapped in the core 24 may be fed therethrough from any desired and conveniently located supply source. For purposes of illustration, one suitable supply source is shown comprising a coil 76 carried on an upright coil supporting stand 78 adjacent the machine. Guides 80 and 81 on the stand 78 and a support 40, respectively, serve to guide the wires 74 to the preforming head 58. Although the wires 74 may be supplied from rotatable spools or reels, if desired, it is not required for the operation of the machine. (In FIGURE 11an arrangement wherein the wires 74 are rotated as they are supplied to the die 60 is shown.) A strand tensioning device, not shown, of any well known design may be included between each coil 76 and the preforming head 58 `to maintain a substantially constant tension on the wires 74. As with the core 24, wires, strands, ropes or the like may be used for the outer layer members 74.

The die 60 to which the core and outer wires are fed through the preforming head 58 comprises a part of a twisting and drawing unit designated 82. This unit, which is described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, is rotatable in the same direction and at the same rate of rotation as the supply reel holder 28. The unit 82 is shown comprising a frame which includes a pair of spaced longitudinally extending plates 84a and 84h interconnected lby forward and rear end plates 86a and 8611, respectively. Tubular shafts 88 and 90 eX- tend through the end plates 86a and 86h, respectively, and are secured thereto as Iby welding or other suitable means not shown. The die 60 is contained in a counter sunk portion at the outer end of the forward shaft 88 and is removable therefrom for replacement with dies having different diameter bores to accommodate different size strands.

The shafts 88 and 90 are rotatably supported in bearings 92 on upright supports 94 and 96. The support 96 also carries a bearing 98 for the rotatable support of the outer end of the motor drive shaft 48. The twisting and drawing unit is rotated by a pulley and belt arrangement which includes pulleys 100 and 102 on the shafts 48 and 90, respectively, and a belt 104 'between the pulleys. Obviously, any other suitable connecting means between the motor 22 and twisting and drawing unit 82 may be ernployed for rotating the same.

The outer wires 74 are twisted about the core 24 at the die 60, and the resultant strand, designated 105, is drawn through the die by a pair of capstans 106 and 108 about which the strand is wrapped. From the capstan 108 the strand passes through the rear tubular shaft 90 and is wound upon a take-up reel 110 carried by a rotatable reel holder designated 112.

Referring to FIGURES 3 through 5, the drive mechanism for capstans 106 and 108 is shown comprising a stationary sprocket 114 fixed to the upright support 94 through a sleeve 116. The sprocket 114 connects through a chain 118 to a second sprocket 120 attached to a shaft 122 extending parallel with the rotary axis of the unit 82. When the unit 82 is rotated the sprocket 120 travels in a circular path about the stationary sprocket 114 and is thereby rotated through the chain 118. Other suitable means such as intermeshing gears could be substituted for the chain and sprocket connection illustrated. With the illustrated arrangement the sprocket 120 may be readily replaced with one of different size for control of the pitch or lay distance of the outer wires on the core.

The shaft 122 is rotatably supported in spaced bearings 124 and 126 attached to the side plates 84a and 8411. A worm 128 on the shaft 122 engages a gear 130 fixed to a rotatable shaft 132 rotatably supported by the parallel side plates 84a and 84b. The shaft 132 extends outwardly from the side plate 84a and a spur gear 13e is fixed to the extending end of the shaft as by a set screw.

An idler gear 140 connects the gear 136 to a gear 142 which is fixed to a shaft 144. The axis of the idler gear 140 is adjustably positioned to accommodate gears 136 of different size for additional control of the speed ratio of the gear train. The idler gear 140 is shown rotatably supported on a short shaft 145 extending from the outer face of a sector plate 143, the shaft being fixed to the plate as by welding or other suitable means not shown. The sector plate is rotatably supported on the rotatable shaft 144 and may be pivoted about the axis of the shaft when a locking screw 150 is loosened. The locking screw 150 threadedly engages a tapped hole in the side plate 84a and carries a gib 152 which engages the sector plate 148 at an arcuate edge thereof. The sector plate 14S is clamped against the side plate yby simply tightening the screw 150.

The gear 142 drives a gear 156 fixed to a shaft 158. The gears 142 and 156 are of the same diameter, and the shafts 144 and 150 to which they are fixed extend between the side plates 84a and 84:5 ofthe unit 82. The capstans d and 1th?, which are also of the same diameter, are fixed to the shafts 144 and 153 and as a result are rotated at the same rate but in opposite rotary directions. From the die t) the strand 105 is first wrapped about the capstan 106 and then is wrapped around the capstan 108. The wires 74 are twisted about the core 24 as the wires are drawn through the die by rotating capstans 106 and 16S as the unit S2 is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

As mentioned above with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, to which figures reference is again made, the strand 10S from the capstan 103 passes through the tubular shaft and is wound upon a take-up reel 110 at the reel holder 112. The reel holder 112 comprises a frame which includes spaced longitudinally extending members 160e and 160b interconnected by spaced transversely extending members 162a and 162i). The forward transverse member 162:1 is attached to the tubular shaft 90 as by welding or other suitable means not shown whereby the frame is rotated at the same rate as the twisting and drawing unit 32. The rear transverse member 16211 is rotatably mounted upon a rotatable shaft 164 coaxial with the longitudinal axis ofthe machine.

The shaft 164 is rotatably supported at one end in a bearing 166 carried in an intermediate transverse member 162C extending between the members 16051 and 160b and attached thereto `as by welding or other suitable means, not shown. The other end of the shaft 164 is rotatably supported in a bearing 168 on a support 170. The shaft 164 is connected to the stationary support 170 through a slip coupling 172 of any suitable type such as hydraulic, electric, or mechanical slip clutch. The reel 110 is removably attached to the shaft 164 by any suitable means not shown. ln use the reel is fixed to the shaft for rotation of the shaft when the reel is rotated` The strand from the tubular shaft 90 is guided over members 174, 176 and 178 to the reel 110. The guide member 17S comprises a portion of a traverse mechanism 180 for neatly laying the strand upon the take-up reel. Such traverse mechanisms are well known and need not be described in detail. In will be sufficient to note that the cross feed shaft 182 of the traverse mechanism is rotatably supported by the rear end and intermediate transverse members 162b and 162C. A pulley 154 is attached to one end of the shaft 132 and connects by a belt 186 to a pulley 183 secured to the reel shaft 164. 1t will be apparent that the traverse mechanism 180 is driven at a rate dependent upon the difference in rate of rotation of the reel holder 112 and reel 110, and with the reel holder 112 rotated at a constant rate, the traverse mechanism 180 is driven at a rate directly related to the rate of rotation of the take-up reel 110.

Although the operation of the apparatus is believed to be apparent, a brief description will be given. When the motor 22 is energized, the supply reel holder 28, twisting and drawing means 82, and take-up reel holder 112 are rotated. The twisting and drawing unit d2 and take-up reel holder 112 are, of course, rotated at the same rate since they are interconnected by the shaft 20 and, preferably, the supply reel holder 28 is rotated in synchronism therewith. When rotated in synchronism, it will be apparent that the portion of the core 24- extending between the guide members 56 and 174 at the supply and take-up reel holders is rotated about the core axis without twisting. Of course, some twisting of the core is permissible and it is not essential that the reel holders and twisting and driving unit'be rotated in synchronism.

In the arrangements shown in FIGURES 1 to 10, the outer wires 74 of the strand are fed to the die 60 without rotating the same, and such outer wires may be drawn from any convenient source. Also, with this arrangement the preforming head 58 and guide 62 may be stationary. At the die 60 the outer Wires 74 are twisted about the rotating core 24 by the rotation of the die. The lay distance is dependent upon the ratio of the rate of rotation of the capstans 106 and 10S to the rate of rotation of the unit S2, and for any given machine setaup this ratio is fixed. To change the lay distance the sprocket 120 and/ or the gear 136, both of which are readily removable, may be replaced with a sprocket or gear of different size. Also, the apparatus may be rotated ,in either rotary direction, and the proper direction of rotation of the capstans 106 and 103 is obtained by use of either a right or lefthand threaded worm 128, as required. The strand from the drawing capstans is wound upon the reel as the holder 112 is rotated. The rate at which the take-up mechanism attempts to wind the strand on the reel 110 exceeds the rate at which the strand is drawn through the twisting and drawing unit whereby the strand is placed in tension between the capstans and take-up reel.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 6 through 9 for a description of the novel preforming head 58. The head comprises a pair of spaced plates 200 which may be of circular shape, The plates are formed with apertures 202 through the center thereof through which the core or heart wire passes. A plurality of holes 204 are formed in the plates 206 at a common radial distance from the center aperture 292, which holes 204 are spaced at equal distance apart. For a nineteen wire strand, there would be a total of eighteen holes in a circle to accommodate eighteen outer wires to be wrapped about the core wire passing through the hole 202.

Each of the holes 204 is reamed or otherwise suitably formed with a taper as shown, or with a cup shape, as desired. Ball-like members 206 are clamped between the plates 200 at the holes 204 by nuts 208 and bolts 210 extending through holes in the plates. The relative sizes of the ball-like members 206 and holes 204 preferably are such that the balls engage the tapered walls of the holes. It will be apparent that when the nuts 208 are tightened on the bolts 210, the balls 206 are tightly clamped between the plates.

Each ball 206 is formed with a hole 212 diametrioally therethrough and a tube 214 of hardened metal, or the like (provided with tungsten carbide sleeves, if desired) extends through the hole and out the opposite ends thereof. A press fit, or any other suitable means not shown, may be used to ixedly secure the tube to the ball. The outer wires 74 of the strand are adapted to extend through the tubes 214 to preform the same prior to entry thereof into the die.

The outside diameter of the tubes 214 is smaller than the smallest diameter of the holes 204 at the outer face of plates 200 whereby the tubes may be displaced at an angle with the longitudinal -axis of the holes 204 in any angular direction therefrom when the nuts 268 are loosened. In use the tubes 214 are positioned such that the wires change direction when leaving and/ or entering the tube to provide them with a set prior to entry into the die 60. The condition of the wires is changed in passing through the tubes such that the wires are in a neutral, or unstressed, condition after being twisted about the core 24. When such a strand is cut or broken, the twisted wires remain in the twisted condition and do not .spring apart. The positioning of the tubes 2.14 to create the proper set in the wires is dependent upon the size, stiffness and elasticity of the wire and other constant factors. Not only is the angular position of the tubes 214 adjustable in any direction from the longitudinal axis of the holes 204, but the entire preforming head 58 is longitudinally adjustable toward and away from the die upon loosening the bolts 7) shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The longitudinal adjustment of the position of the head 58 and the angular adjustment of the tubes 214 in the head allows for the proper preforming of the outer strands for production of a dead or neutral strand.

With the novel apparatus of this invention a plurality of dies may be included between the supply reel holder 28 and the twisting and drawing unit 82 for consecutively wrapping layers of wire around the core. Reference is now made to FIGURE l wherein a fragmentary view of a modified stranding machine embodying this inven tion is illustrated, which machine is shown with two rotary dies 60 and 68 between the supply reel holder 28 and the twisting and drawing unit 82. The supply reel holder 28 and twisting and drawing unit 82 which are fragmentarily shown in FIGURE l0 may be of the same type as shown in FIGURES l and 2 described above. Also, a suitable take-up reel holder, such as the holder 112 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 may be employed for spooling the strand from the twisting and drawing unit 82.

As seen in FIGURE l0, the second die 60' is carried by a tubular shaft 88 rotatably mounted in bearings 92 carried on a support 94. The tubular shaft 88 is connected through pulleys 102 and 100 and belt 104 to the main drive shaft 48 of the machine, and is driven at the same rotary speed as the supply reel holder 28, die 60, twisting and drawing unit 82, and take-up reel holder (not shown). The core 24 passes axially through the die 60 and outer wires designated 74' are supplied to the die 60' through a preforming head 58 and guide 62. The preforrning head 58 and guide 62 are of substantially the same construction as the head 58 and guide 62 except, in the illustrated arrangement fewer outer wires are accommodated thereby. The head 5S is longitudinally adjustable on the platform 66 and includes a plurality of angularly adjustable tubes 214 (as shown in FIGURES 6 to 9) through which the outer wires 74 pass. The guide 62 is supported by any suitable means, not shown.

In operation, as the wires 74 pass into the die Sti they are wrapped around the rotating core 24. A strand 10S comprising the core 24 and twisted outer wires 74 emerges from the die 60 and is fed directly to the die 60 where the additional outer wires 74 are wrapped thereon in the manner described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2. The strand 10S emerging from the second die 60 thereby comprises the untwisted core 24 with an inner layer of Wires 74 and outer layer of wires 74 .helically wrapped therearound. It will be apparent that any desired number of dies and Outer wire supply stations may be included in the `machine between the supply reel holder 28 and twisting and drawing unit S2.

In the ,method and apparatus shown in FIGURES l to 10, the outer wires 74 are both twisted about the core wire 24 and about their own longitudinal axes. In a modified `form of this invention shown in FIGURE 11 the outer wires 74 are twisted around the rotating portion of the core wire substantially without twisting of the outer wires about their own longitudinal axes.

The machine as illustrated in FIGURE 11 is substantially the same as that shown in FIGURES 1 to 9 and described above, except the outer strand wires 74 are rotated prior to being fed to the rotatable die 60. For this CII purpose the outer strand wires 74 are shown wound on supply reels 26 rotatably supported by reel holders 28 of the same design as the reel 26 and reel holder 28 for the core wire 24 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and described in detail above. Rotation of the outer strand reel holders is provided by the pulleys 42, belts 220, and pulleys, not shown, secured to shafts 222. rotatably supported by means not shown on base members 224. Pulleys 226 on the shafts 222, belts 228, and pulleys not shown on the drive shaft 48 connect the drive shaft 48 to the shafts 222 for drive rotation thereof. With pulleys of proper relative size, the outer strand wires 74 may be rotated at the same rate and in the same rotary direction as the core wire 24, in which case the outer wires 74 are laid onto the core wire 24 without twisting about their own longitudinal axes. By use of pulleys of different relative size the outer strand wire reel holders 28 may be rotated at a faster or slower rate than the reel holder 28 for the core wire 24 and the die 60 to provide an advance twist or reverse twist, respectively, to the completed strand. A`

substantially dead or neutral strand is produced by the apparatus shown in FIGURE 11 wherein the outer wires 74 are twisted about the core wire 24 substantially without twisting of the outer wires about their own longitudinal axes. Such a Strand is often termed a preformed strand to distinguish over strands which are produced by twisting the outer wires about their own axes.

With the apparatus of this invention, the revolving mass of the machine and the mass of wire carried thereby, are greatly reduced, thereby permitting high-speed operation thereof. As compared with prior art machines, the arrangement shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 has about 90% less rotating weight and about less wire carried thereby.

Where the outer layer wires 74 are drawn ot non-rotating reels 78 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, much longer lengths of outer wires may be used than in the arrangement wherein the wires 74 are supplied from rotating bobbins or reels as shown in FIGURE 1l and as used in many prior art arrangements. Where long lengths of outer wires 74 are employed as with the apparatus of FIGURES 1 to 5, the overall down time for the replacement of spools is, of course, greatly reduced. Also, long strands without welds may be made with the apparatus of F'IG- URES 1 and 2, which strands result in a highly desirable product.

AThe invention having been described in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, various other changes and modications may occur to those skilled in this art. For example, in some instances a single capstan or 108 may be used instead of both capstans. Also, the apparatus may be used with any suitable core supply holder and take-up holder arrangement, so long as the portion of the core passing through the die or dies is rotated at substantially the saine rate as the twisting and drawing unit. As an example, rotatable reel holders in which the reels are mounted transversely of the machine axis rather than parallel therewith may be employed. It will also be apparent that the machine may be operated without preforming heads. Alternatively, other -well known prior .art preforming heads may be employed instead of` the heads 58 and 58', if desired. Also, the machine may be used as a twisting machine simply by operating the same without a central core. For such operation, the core suppyl reel holder 28 shown in FIGUR-ES 1 and 2 is not utilized. It will be apparent that a versatile machine is provided in which two or more wires may be twisted together, or one or .more wires may be wrapped around a core.

A further modification would include independently mounting the twisting and drawing unit 82 and the takeup reel holder 112 a spaced distance apart. The strand 1G15 in traveling between these units: could then be operated upon in any desired manner. For example, the application of an armor coating, lubrication, insulating material, or the like, to the strand could take place thereat by inclusion of suitable mechanism of well known design. It desired, counter-rotating apparatus could be located at this point to wrap additional wires, insulation, etc. on the strand in the opposite direction. Also, different lay distances for the various layers may be employed, if desired.

The method and apparatus of this invention are not limited to strands of any particular material. Ferrous, nonferrous, alloy and the like strands may be produced. Also, iibrous or monofilament wires or strands are contemplated in the practice of the method and apparatus of this invention.

It is intended that the above and other such changes and modifications shall fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the following claims.

I claim:

'1. Apparatus for twisting advancing wires, strands, ropes, or the like about a core comprising:

a die with a bore therethrough,

means upstream of said die for supplying outer wires to the die,

supply means upstream of said die for supplying a core portion to said die,

a rotatable drawing means downstream of said die for advancing the core and outer wires through the die,

means for rotatably mounting the rotatable means for twisting the outer wires about the core at the die as said wires are drawn through the die, and

a drive motor for rotating the drawing means for both twisting the outer wires about the core as said wires are pulled through the die and for drawing the wires and core through the die.

2. The apparatus as -recited in claim t1 wherein the means upstream of said die for supplying outer wires to the die are non-rotatable such that the outer wires are non-rotatably supplied to the die.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including rotatable take-up means downstream of said rotatable drawing means for reeling the twisted wires, and

means including said drive motor for rotating said takeup means in the same direction of rotation and substantially in synchronism with said drawing means.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim .1 wherein the means upstream of said die for supplying outer Wires to the die are rotatable substantially in synchronism with the drawing means in the same rotary direction for rotatably supplying the outer wires to the die.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said core supply means is rotatably mounted, and

means including said drive motor for rotating said core supply means in the same direction and at substantial- 4ly the same speed as the rotatable drawing means.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the drive motor is coupled to said outer wire supply means for drive rotation thereof by said drive motor.

7. Apparatus for twisting advancing wires, strands, ropes or the like about a core comprising:

Irst and second spaced dies with aligned passages therethrough,

-irst and second means for supplying outer wires to said yfirst and second dies, respectively,

means for supplying a core to said first die,

a combined pulling and twisting means for pulling said core and outer wires through said first and second dies and for twisting the outer wires about the core at said first and second dies, and

a single motor for actuating said pulling and twisting means for electing both the pulling and twisting operations.

S. A method of stranding advancing core and outer wires comprising:

rotating a portion of an advancing core about its longitudinal axis,

twisting at least one advancing outside wire around the rotating portion of the Core in the same direction of rotation as the rotating core portion, the rotation of the core portion being performed substantially without twisting, with said outside wire being twisted around the rotating portion of the core at substantially the same rotational speed as the core is rotated, and

rotating the advancing outside wire in the same direction and at substantially the same rate as the rotating portion of the core while twisting the same around the core portion.

`9. In a stranding, twisting, rope making machine, or the like in which wires, strands, ropes or the like, are drawn through `a die for twisting the same together, a preforming head for -changing the unstressed condition of wire, strand, or rope drawn therethrough prior to entering said die, said preforming head comprising:

a mounting plate formed with apertures therethrough,

tube members mounted on the plate at said apertures `through which wires under tension are adapted to be drawn for changing the unstressed condition of the wires, and

releasable means fiXedly securing the tube members to the plate, the angular position of said tube members with respect to the axis of the apertures in the mounting plate being adjustable upon release of said sec-uring means,

10. The preforming head defined in claim 9 wherein the walls of said apertures formed in the mounting plate are of a non-uniform diameter,

said securing means comprising ball-like members formed with an aperture therethrough within which said tubes are mounted, and means releasably clamping said ball-like members against said mounting plate with the members in engagement with the walls of the apertures formed in said mounting plate.

11. In a stranding machine, or the like, in which wires, strands, ropes, or the like are drawn through a die, a combination drawing and twisting unit comprising:

a rotatably mounted frame with apertures therein through which a strand formed by the machine passes,

drawing means rotatably carried by the rotatable frame for drawing a strand through a die,

means coupling the drawing means to the rotatable frame for rotation of the drawing means upon rotation of the frame, and

drive means for rotatably driving the frame for simultaneous drive rotation of the frame and rotation of the drawing means `for twisting the wires and drawing the same through the die, respectively.

y12. The stranding machine as defined in claim 11 including:

a rotatable reel holder for winding the strand from the pulling and twisting unit, and

means connecting the drive means to the reel holder for drive rotation thereof.

13. The stranding machine as dened in claim 11 including means for changing the coupling means between the drawing means and rotatable frame for changing the lay distance of the twisted wires.

14. Apparatus for twisting wires, strands, ropes or the like, comprising:

a die with .a bore therethrough,

medans upstream of said die for supplying wires to the rotatable drawing mechanism downstream of said die for drawing the wires through the die,

means for rotatably mounting said drawing mechanism for twisting the outer wires while drawing the same through the die, and

a single drive means for driving the drawing mechanism for both drawing the wires through the die and twisting the same.

15. The apparatus for twisting wires, strands, ropes or the like as defined in claim 14 including:

a rotatable take-up reel holder for winding of the strand from the rotatable drawing mechanism, and

1 1 1 2 means connecting said drive means to said take-up 2,136,388 1'1/1938 Lowe 57-166 XR reel holder for rotatably driving the same. 3,091,074 5/'196'3 Demmel 57-161 XR FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited 5 656,008 1/1938 Germany.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,043,130 `6/1936 Traugou 57-161XR FRANK l COHEN Primm E-mmle- 2,098,922 1'1/1937 McKnight 57-15 XR WERNER H. SCHROEDER, Assistant Examiner. 

